Method of feeding metal strips in furnaces.



S No. 699,l28. Patented May 6, I902.

v T. v. ALLIS. METHOD OF FEEDING METAL STRIPS IN FURNACES.

(Application filed Sept. 19, 1900.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS V. ALLIS, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

METHOD OF FEEDING METAL STRIPS IN FURNACES.

SPECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,128, dated May 6, 1902. Application filed $eptember 19,1900. semi No. 30,504. (No model.)

Metal Strips in Furnaces, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved method of feeding thin metalstrips through a heatingfurnace and into the bight of reduction-rolls.

When the floor of a furnace is covered by thin metal strips, all lying in the same plane, it is impossible to feed them along toward the discharge-opening by moving the Whole mass without having them overlap or ride upon each other. Therefore myimproved method consists in arranging the strips in a furnace so that each abutting edge will vary from the horizontal plane of the path of movement, which arrangement eifectuall y preventsoverlapping.

To enable others to understand my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a furnace with the roof removed, a channeliron resting on the bottom of the furnace loaded with metal strips, and reduction-rolls located in close proximity to the delivery opening of the furnace with a metal strip beihg fed therein. Fig. 2 isa front elevation of the furnace, also a view of the front end of the channel-iron as seen through the charging-opening of the f urnace,showing also more clearly the angular position of the metal strips, also end 7 elevation of the reductionrolls. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of the channel-iron. Fig. 4 isa broken section of a furnace with a modification of the channel-iron or supports. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a plain channel-iron with corrugated metal strips therein,being a modified arrangement for breaking the joints of said strips, so that they will not overlap or ride one upon the other when propelled along such channeliron.

The construction and operation are as fol lows:

1 represents a furnace in which the metal strips are heated preparatory to being rolled.-

2 is the charging-opening, through which the strips are fed into the furnace.

3 is the delivery-opening on the side of the furnace and near the rear end,through which the strips are fed to the reduction-rolls 4and 5. 6 is an opening in the opposite side wall of the furnace directly in line with said delivery-opening, through which opening 6 a pusher-rod .is operated to force each strip through said delivery-opening into the bight of the reduction-rolls.

The channel-iron covers substantially the entire surface of the furnace-bottom and consists of the floor 7, adapted to rest on the bottom of the furnace.

8 and 9 are two vertical sides rising a suitable distance above the floor 7, on which sides the alternate ends of the metalstrips will rest, as follows: One end of the strips 10 will rest on top of the upright 9 of the channel-iron, while its opposite end will rest on the floor 7 and against-the base of the side 8, while one end of the strips 11 rests on the top of the upright 8 and its other end rests against the base of the upright 9. This arrangement -will prevent the engagement of the strips with each other, excepting where they cross, which affords sufficient bearing-surface to enable the whole body of strips to be moved along toward the discharge-opening by means of a pusher-rod inserted through the opening 2 of the furnace.

Where'the strips are so thin that they are liable to settle down in the center when heated, '1 have provided the central rib 12, rising from the floor 7 of the channel-iron. This rib effectually prevents sagging of the' strips. The inner end of the rib 12 and also the ends of the vertical sides 8 and 9 of the channeliron are on a line with the forward edge of the openings 3 and 6, so that when the most advanced strip has been pushed off from these elevations itwill fall upon the extension 7 a of the floor 7 and in a direct line with said openings 3 and 6, whereuponthe pusher-rod 13 will advance such strip into the bight of the reduction-rolls, as shown at Fig. 1. As

soon as this'strip has dropped upon said eie tension 7 a a fresh strip is entered at the front of the furnace, so as to keep the channel-iron filled, and when the previously-dropped strip has passed through the rolls another-strip is pushed ofi upon said extension 7.

While I show a peculiarly-constructed channel-iron upon which the strips are mounted so that they will cross each other it will be understood that any construction of furnace whereby said strips are made to assume a crossed position will answer equally-as well.

In Fig. 4 instead of the channel-iron shown in the other views the bars of iron 8, 9, and 12, let into the bricks of the furnace-floor, will serve the same purpose as the rib 12 and the sides 8 and 9 of said channel-iron.

The modification shown at Fig. 5 represents the metal strips 10 and 11 slightly corrugated or waved, which will eflfectually prevent any tendency of said strips to overlap. In this case the central supporting-rib shown in the other views will not be needed, as the strips will rest on the floor of the channeliron.

While I show metal strips crossing each other with their edges abutting or intersecting at the center, and also strips corrugated with their edges abutting at several points, the principle is the same, and I hold myself at liberty to employ either or, in fact, any arrangement of strips in a furnace whereby their edges are allowed only a partial engagementor intersection for propulsion and do not engage their entire length.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The method of heating a line of adjacent metal strips, which consists in arranging said strips in a heating-chamber with their abutting edges crossed to prevent overriding, and then advancing said line of strips through said heating-chamber, as set forth.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, this 17th day of September, A. D. 1900.

THOMAS V. ALLIS.

\Vitncsses:

A. K. LovELL, L. R. l-IoY'r. 

